A nuclear explosive device detonated in an American city would cause catastrophic loss of life and long-term economic damage. Such event is not likely, at present, but the threat may increase. Reducing the likelihood of nuclear terrorism is not a simple matter. The possible interventions are few; most involve strengthening our deterrents and augmenting our defenses. Dr. Robert Gallucci will argue that the effort is necessary and prudent, despite the complex political and technical challenges involved.

Robert Gallucci became president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation on July 1, 2009, having previously served for thirteen years as dean of Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. Prior to this, Gallucci completed a twenty-one year career in the government where he served in several capacities, including with the U.S. Department of State as ambassador-at-large and as a special envoy to deal with the threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. He held this position, concurrent with his appointment as dean, until January 2001. Before joining the State Department, he taught at Swarthmore College, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and Georgetown University. He has authored a number of publications on political-military issues, including Neither Peace Nor Honor: The Politics of American Military Policy in Vietnam and Going Critical: The First North Korean Nuclear Crisis with Joel S. Wit and Daniel Poneman. For Going Critical, he received the 2005 Douglas Dillon Award given by the American Academy of Diplomacy for a book of distinction in the practice of diplomacy. Gallucci earned his B.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University.